The Link Between PTSD and Suicide

Common sense as well as the Pentagon's own study tells us that increased exposure to traumatic events increases the likelihood of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). A dangerous symptom of PTSD is suicidal thoughts and tendencies.The occupations in Iraq and Afghanistan are continuing on the backs of exhausted troops who are sent to war over and over again. More than 300,000 of us have served 3 or more tours of duty in these wars.

Suicide among veterans and active duty troops has been making the headlines recently, but this issue has been haunting our community for as long as we've been at war. Watch this clip from our Winter Soldier hearings in 2008 to learn how veteran suicide affected the Lucey family.

This article by Aaron Glantz reveals the startling reality that the suicide rate among veterans is 300% higher than the rate of death in combat.